What To Look For In A Breeder

A responsible breeder...

• Is willing to show you their breeding facility, and the parents of the animal you are buying.   Their cages should be clean and their breeders should be handleable.  
• Keeps lineage on their animals.
• Feeds a healthy diet and has appropriately sized cages.
• Educates buyers on correct care requirements, and answers any questions buyers have.
• Offers after sale support.  If a buyer has questions even years after they buy an animal, the breeder should still be willing to answer them.
• Is willing to take back their babies if their new owners do not want them or can't keep them for any reason.
• Provides vet care for their animals, and has a health guarantee for babies.
• Socializes their babies to ensure a friendly, well rounded pet.
• Breeds for improvement of the species, and not for money.
• Asks potential buyers questions and looks for the best home rather than selling to the first person with the money.
• Retains babies until they are weaned and completely able to live without their parents.

*We at Ashley's Animals follow every one of these guidelines, as should every breeder.

Why Hedgehogs Can't Share The Hedge

I was asked today why hedgehogs can't share the hedge.  Well, pet hedgehogs don't actually have a hedge...but they do have a cage, which they also won't share.  This is because they are solitary animals and dislike the company of other hedgehogs.  Males are especially territorial and will fight any intruders in their space.  If you want multiple hedgehogs they should each have their own cage.  Although some owners have reported successfully housing two females together for a while, it usually ends up in a fight at some point and it's best not to attempt this unless the females were litter-mates.  Even then, be prepared to separate them if they decide they don't want to live together.  If each hedgeheog has their own "hedge" they will be so much happier!

What To Feed A Hedgehog

Hedgehogs need a diet that is high in protein and low in fat.  When choosing food, look for those that have about 35% protein and no more than 15% fat.  Since few foods made specifically for hedgehogs have the proper amounts of protein and fat, most owners choose to feed a high quality cat or dog kibble instead.  The best way to achieve a balanced diet is to offer a mix of several different foods.

Quality cat foods include:
Authority
Blue Buffalo
Canidae
Castor & Pollux
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul
Evangers
Fromm
Halo Spot's Stew
Holistic Select
Innova
Kirkland Signature
Natural Balance
Nutro Natural Choice
Purina One Beyond
Royal Canin
Simply Nourish
Solid Gold
Taste of the Wild
Wellness

*This is not a complete list and it is in no particular order.

Along with this dry mix, make sure to supplement your hedgehog's diet with insects and small pieces of fruits and vegetables a few times a week.

Welcome!

I created this blog to answer frequently asked questions about the animals I breed.  My main site is www.AshleysAnimals.com, where you can find more information about my animals for sale.